Lisa+Wortman's+LMF

//Learning Motivation and Fun//
 //View// the assignment page //for a more detailed explanation of this project.

In this exercise, you'll collect data from our database of interviews about fun and learning. Use this template and the data to create 5 generalizations for what you observed. Your generalizations should answer the questions//
 * //What makes learning fun and engaging?//
 * //What are the implications for your own teaching and design work//

3) High school students almost universally reported that physical activity was an element in the experiences they called "fun".//** //Bill W, for example described learning beginning archery skills at boy scout camp. Sallie Forth recalled a social studies class in which "we recreated in chicken wire and paper mache the battlefield at Shiloh and spent several class periods reconstructing the events there." All together there were 24 experiences that took place during high school years and all but 1 included physical activity. In most cases (19 out of 24) these activities also required creative or critical thinking.//
 * //Example:

What are your 5 generalizations?
1. ** Of the 46 women who classify their educational experience as an informal or recreational hobby, approximately half describe this activity as involving high physical activity, like training or practicing a sport. ** 24 women told stories involving medium to high amounts of physical activity. Some hobbies can be considered recreational, like Michelle who took part in behind the wheel motorcycle lessons, or Mridu who experience a ropes course with international students. 8 females described an organized sport or dance experience, like Mary who learned how to line dance at a resort, or Whitney who’s uncle taught her mountain biking techniques. The other half of the women described more creative and passive learning like Melissa who described an informal learning experience about scrapbooking. Females enjoy participating in hobbies varying physical intensity levels.
 * 2. **** The majority of males describe a “fun” learning hobby as having high physical amounts of activity. ** 27 men provided a fun hobby experiences, the amount of physical activity involved is as follows: 16 high amount of physical activity, 6 medium, 3 low, and 2 did not comment. Several men described the high physical activity as learning how to make tangible objects, such as Adam who learned to weld. Others describe playing a sport like Ryan who learned skateboard tricks. Self improvement hobbies were also described as highly physical, like Ron who read books on how to take better care of his body, or John who was motivated to bike 160 miles in Yosemite. Males enjoy hobbies that are physically intensive and involve developing or refining motor skills.

3. ** Children, ages 2-9, reported being most motivated when the teacher creates a non-intimidating learning environment and exudes medium to high amounts of warmth. ** 100% of the learners, age 2-9, described their learning environment as “low intimidating”. 5 choose medium to high amounts of teacher warmth. Holly said her music instructor taught them how to read music by taking away the “complex mathematical way” or reading music and related it to words kids would understand. Children feel more comfortable and open to learning when the teacher creates a warm environment with low amounts of intimidation.

4. ** The majority of learners, over the age of 20, said they were motivated to learn new career skills when they were really challenged and the content was very relevant. ** Linda, a young mom raising her kids alone, learned through self-discovery how to get her babies and herself ready to leave the house so she could maintain a “normal” lifestyle. Beatriz collaborated to solve complex problems and gained new insight into her job. In most cases the learning outcomes greatly improved or expanded the learner’s career skills, so the more pertinent and challenging the content, the more knowledge they gained from the experience.

5. ** When 60% of the learners’ attention is on the teacher and or media, the teacher showed medium to high amounts of warmth and enthusiasm, and created an accessible learning environment. ** Of the 33 stories recollected, 25 recorded medium-high amounts of warmth, and 100% said their teacher exuded medium-high amounts of enthusiasm. Barb described her music director as “always smiling” and brings a lot of fun to their choir practice. Dave appreciated how his cooking teacher was really focused on the learners and made them feel welcomed. If the majority of the learner’s attention is focused on the instructor and or media, they are motivated when the teacher is approachable and enthusiastic.